CHATHAM ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10418, 16 April 1897, Page 5

CHATHAM ISLANDS.

(from our own correspondent.] April 7. The Kahu arrived punctually on the 4th instant, and brought the material for finishing the wharf and shipping store for Waitangi Harbour, aud doubtless these muchwanted conveniences will be ready for use before the next due date of the steamer. On February 20th, H.M.s. Lizard, Captain deCrespigny, brought to off Waitaugi, having previously stayed a few days at Port Hutt. Major Gascoyne went ou board to request the services of the doctor, as there were one or two Islanders much in need of his services. These occasions are the only opportunities we have of seeing a medical man from one year's end to another, _ It would be a great boon to the people if a Standing Order could be given to the effect that navy doctors calling here should have every facility given them to attend private persons ashore during their stay. The four whaleboats that have been away collecting seabirds came back yesterday, just in time to send their unsavoury cargo to Parihaka by this trip of the steamer. A number of passengers arrived by this trip—Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Blakiston, Miss Blakiston, Mr. and Mrs. Hullah and family, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Hunt, Messrs. Blakiston, Grenner, and others. They had a good passage. We have had a lovely autumn, and the health of the islanders has ou the whole been . fairly good. 1 have one death to report, that of Tioti Kerei (George Gray), which occurred rather suddenly. From the symptoms we suppose that abscess on the brain was the cause of it, though, as there is no medical man on the Islands, wo are sadly at a loss to diagnose any illness. The Kahu is leaving shortly, so I must close.